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1986 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 35 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Ranger, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

83
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years79% below the Ranger median · #31 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3517 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem13Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 25, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Ranger has problems

35 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1310
Engine and engine cooling72
Seat belts71
Fuel system, gasoline41
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Wheels21
Power train20
Steering21
Tires10
2 other systems21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1986 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 88V-145 · Sep 2, 1988 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Ranger year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA87020 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-139
  2. UNDER SEAT FIRESEA88033 · closed Jan 23, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-145
  3. GEAR SHIFT LEVER FAILSEA90016 · closed Oct 23, 1990
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  5. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE87012 · closed May 15, 1987
    No recall
  6. GEARSHIFT LEVER BREAKSPE89129 · closed Mar 23, 1990
    No recall
  7. WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSPE92029 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Ranger owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AFTER PARKING, SHORT WHILE LATER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH WHILE PUSHING DOWN DRIVE WAY. *AK
Complaint 983987 · May 1, 1996
AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROX. 10 HOUR, FOUND VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, FIRE DEPT WAS EXTINQUISHING, AND MADE NO DETERMINATION AS TO WHY IT STARTED. *AK
Complaint 983844 · Apr 29, 1996
WHILE SITTING A WEEK OR SO, HORN STARTED BLOWING THEN SMOKED. BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO STOP FIRE FROM SPREADING FURTHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 983648 · Apr 26, 1996

Own a 1986 Ranger?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.